Dear Colleagues,
What could possibly be new for the start of school? Like usual it will be very warm in classrooms this week, even though August was relatively cool. Some copy machines don’t have paper, even though it is likely that teachers will need more paper at the beginning of the school year than usual.
More important things right now:
1. Students Growth Measures – principals will get the word this week that the Appraisal Review Committee has made changes to the evaluation system based on changes in state law.
-Almost everyone does one SLO. If you teach both ELA and Math you will do two. Pick the elementary grade level or the secondary course where you serve the most students for your SLO.
-If you teach a value added class (4-8 ELA or Math, HS Physical Science, Algebra I, and English 1) the state test will not count in your evaluation RIGHT NOW. You will do one SLO like everyone else, but after “safe harbor” expires in 2017-18, somehow the scores your students earn will be magically compounded and attached to you. No one knows how this will work, but the law states they will not count right now.
The OTES Handbook will be available soon. Later this week it will be posted on our website (chtu.org) under “Evaluation” in the “Resources” tab.
2. Medical – if you are waiving medical coverage for the $1,000 benefit at the end of the year, you have 2 weeks to get paperwork to payroll. Remember, waiving medical does not waive Rx, Dental, Vision, and Skilled Nursing. This reminder is in one of the numerous “trainings” we were sent by Joe Bagatti through Schoolworks to be completed by September 30.
3. Code of Conduct – I wrote to you about this before school (check it out if you missed the fun) but realize that another “training” is signing off that you know about the Employee Code of Conduct. No one expects you to read 189 pages (especially in 10 minutes), but you should know the basics of it – follow the law, follow the contract, follow board policy, and use your head.
4. Elementary Special Ed – we worked really hard to get ALL elementary teachers at least 205 minutes per week during the student day of planning time. Please make sure you have it. If not, let your supervisor know. If it is not corrected, then let your building steward know. This is hard to fix later in the year.
5. Try to enjoy your students. They are why we are here, even if we are a bit disgruntled that they are have better parking spots at the high school.
6. Be Nice to New People – help new hires out. Don’t ignore them because you can’t remember their names, just introduce yourself and ask how things are going. (list below)
In Union,
Ari Klein
CHTU President
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